US20140091158A1 - Control system for an artificial snow making plant - Google Patents
Control system for an artificial snow making plant Download PDFInfo
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- US20140091158A1 US20140091158A1 US13/919,646 US201313919646A US2014091158A1 US 20140091158 A1 US20140091158 A1 US 20140091158A1 US 201313919646 A US201313919646 A US 201313919646A US 2014091158 A1 US2014091158 A1 US 2014091158A1
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- snow making
- snow
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C3/00—Processes or apparatus specially adapted for producing ice or snow for winter sports or similar recreational purposes, e.g. for sporting installations; Producing artificial snow
- F25C3/04—Processes or apparatus specially adapted for producing ice or snow for winter sports or similar recreational purposes, e.g. for sporting installations; Producing artificial snow for sledging or ski trails; Producing artificial snow
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B12/00—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area
- B05B12/08—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area responsive to condition of liquid or other fluent material to be discharged, of ambient medium or of target ; responsive to condition of spray devices or of supply means, e.g. pipes, pumps or their drive means
- B05B12/085—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area responsive to condition of liquid or other fluent material to be discharged, of ambient medium or of target ; responsive to condition of spray devices or of supply means, e.g. pipes, pumps or their drive means responsive to flow or pressure of liquid or other fluent material to be discharged
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C2303/00—Special arrangements or features for producing ice or snow for winter sports or similar recreational purposes, e.g. for sporting installations; Special arrangements or features for producing artificial snow
- F25C2303/048—Snow making by using means for spraying water
Definitions
- This invention relates to a control system for an artificial snow making plant. More specifically, the invention relates to an artificial snow making plant having a plurality of snow making apparatuses positioned along a ski run and connected to a communication line.
- each snow making apparatus comprises a snow making device (commonly called “snow cannons”) and a respective unit (commonly known as “chamber”) for feeding a snow making liquid connected to the relative snow making device.
- snow cannons a snow making device
- chamber a respective unit for feeding a snow making liquid connected to the relative snow making device.
- the snow making device is positioned close to the respective unit for feeding the snow making liquid and covers a predetermined geographical snow making area of the ski run.
- the snow making apparatus is the general term defining the assembly of the snow making device (snow cannon) and the unit for feeding the snow making liquid (chamber) which cover a predetermined geographical snow making area.
- the series of geographical snow making areas define the surface of the ski run.
- the snow making apparatus is connected to a communication line in such a way as to manage it from a control station located downstream or in a well defined place.
- the prior art control systems comprise a processing unit connected to the communication line and designed for controlling the status of the apparatus and for managing the operation as a function of the various climatic conditions.
- the control systems do not generally allow the snow conditions of the ski run to be checked. For this reason, it occurs that the snow making apparatuses produce more snow than necessary for opening the ski run to the public, or they do not produce sufficient snow for the opening of the ski run to the public.
- the main drawback consists in the fact that in some areas of the ski run there is more snow than necessary for opening the ski run to the public, whilst in other areas of the ski run there is not sufficient snow for the opening of the ski run.
- the aim of this invention is to make a control system for an artificial snow making plant that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.
- the aim of this invention is to make a control system which allows the snow conditions of the ski run to be monitored.
- the aim of this invention is to make a control system which allows the time for covering the ski run with snow to be estimated.
- the aim of this invention is to make a control system which allows the geographical areas of the ski run having a level of snow cover less than a minimum predetermined level to be identified.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a control system for an artificial snow making plant according to the invention.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a graphical curve relative to the condition of snow covering of a ski run.
- the numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a control system for an artificial snow making plant 100 .
- the artificial snow making plant 100 comprises a plurality of snow making apparatuses 101 positioned along a ski run and connected in series to a communication line 102 .
- each snow making apparatus 101 comprises a snow making device 103 (commonly called “snow cannon”) and a respective unit 104 (commonly known as “chamber”) for feeding a snow making liquid connected to the snow making device 103 .
- FIG. 1 shows a snow making device 103 of an apparatus 101 connected to the communication line 102 by a data line 107 .
- each feeding unit 104 is connected to the snow making device 103 by conduit 105 in which the snow making liquid flows.
- the snow making device 103 is positioned close to a respective unit 104 for feeding the snow making liquid and covers a predetermined geographical snow making area of the ski run.
- the control system 1 comprises a processing unit 2 in data connection with the communication line 102 . More specifically, the processing unit 2 is designed for receiving a status signal S from each snow making apparatus 101 .
- the status signal S represents the quantity of snow currently produced by the snow making apparatus 101 .
- the status signal S represents the quantity of snow which a snow making apparatus 101 has produced.
- the status signal S contains the data relative to the quantity of snow making liquid consumed by the apparatus 101 . For this reason, the status signal S represents the quantity of snow currently produced since the quantity of snow currently produced depends on the quantity of snow making liquid consumed.
- the status signal S is generated by the feeding unit 104 (“chamber”) of the snow making apparatus 101 and transmitted to the processing unit 2 .
- the processing unit 2 is designed for comparing the data contained in each status signal S with a respective predetermined single snow making value P f to be reached and representing a preset quantity of snow to be produced. More in detail, the predetermined single snow making value P f represents the “target” to be reached starting from an initial snow covering status.
- the processing unit 2 is designed for generating a condition signal A of the apparatuses 101 as a function of the comparison.
- the condition signal A of the apparatuses 101 represents the difference between the quantity of snow currently produced by each apparatus and the respective single snow making value P f .
- the processing unit 2 is designed for generating a condition signal P of the ski run as a function of the contents of the condition signal A of the apparatuses 101 .
- the condition signal P of the ski run represents the current snow status of the ski run.
- processing unit 2 is designed for:
- the processing unit 2 is designed for comparing the data contained in each status signal S with a respective predetermined minimum snow making value R min representing a predetermined minimum quantity of snow. It should be noted that the predetermined minimum snow making value P min is less than the single snow making value P f .
- the minimum snow making value P min represents the snow covering threshold between a first area P 1 and a second area P 2 relative to an apparatus 101 .
- the minimum snow making value P min represents the snow covering threshold between the first area P 1 and the second area P 2 relative to the feeding unit 104 (“chamber”) of the apparatus 101 .
- condition signal A of the apparatuses 101 is determined as a function of the quantity of snow making liquid consumed by the relative apparatus 101 . More specifically, the quantity of snow making liquid consumed is compared with the minimum snow making value P min to be exceeded.
- the processing unit 2 is designed for updating the condition signal A of the apparatuses 101 as a function of the comparison.
- the predetermined minimum snow making value P min is defined by a reference curve variable over time. For this reason, the comparison of the data contained in each status signal S with the minimum single snow making value P min is performed periodically with reference to the data contained in each status signal S at a predetermined moment in time D a with the minimum snow making value P min referred to the same predetermined moment in time D a .
- FIG. 2 shows a graph which allows the snow making status of a snow making apparatus 101 positioned in a relative position of the ski run to be determined.
- the curve relative to the minimum single snow making value P min is shown in FIG. 2 and it comprises a first segment S 1 constant over time and a second segment S 2 variable over time.
- FIG. 2 shows that the minimum snow making value P min , along the second segment S 2 , increases with the increase in time.
- the minimum snow making value P min increases with the approach of the preset time of ending snow making D f .
- the first current snow making value P a1 symbolises that the apparatus 101 is not producing the snow necessary for the opening of the plant 100 .
- the point representing the first current snow making value P a1 is located beneath the reference curve.
- the second current snow making value P a2 symbolises that the apparatus 101 has produced a quantity of snow greater than the minimum snow making value P min .
- the point representing the second current snow making value P a2 is located above the reference curve.
- the reference curve defining the trend over time of the minimum snow making value P min divides the main graph into four zones:
- the first segment S 1 defines a minimum snow product threshold.
- the presence of the first segment S 1 distinguishes more clearly zone P 1 from zone P 2 at the time of starting snow making so as to avoid creating the illusion (for the user) that the quantity of snow produced by the apparatus, at the time D i , is already greater than the minimum snow making value P min .
- the times of starting snow making D i and ending snow making D f on the ski run are pre-set times by the user and might not coincide with the actual times of switching on the snow making equipment.
- the apparatus comprises a storage unit 4 connected to the processing unit 2 in which the data relative to the quantity of snow produced by the snow making apparatuses 101 in previous years is stored with reference to an annual period corresponding to the current period.
- the processing unit 2 is designed for calculating the overall remaining snow making time to reach an overall snow making value as a function of the data contained in the status signal S, in the condition signal A of the apparatuses 101 and as a function of the data contained in the storage unit 4 .
- the overall snow making value is defined by the sum of the single snow making values P f .
- control unit is designed for calculating the remaining single snow making time T INN relative to each apparatus 101 for reaching the predetermined single snow making value P f as a function of the data contained in the status signal S, the data contained in the condition signal A of the apparatus 101 and the data contained in the storage unit 4 .
- the control unit is designed for calculating the remaining single snow making time T INN relative to each apparatus 101 for reaching the predetermined single snow making value P f as a function of the data contained in the status signal S, the data contained in the condition signal A of the apparatus 101 and the data contained in the storage unit 4 .
- control unit 2 is configured for identifying, between the calculated single snow making times T INN , the maximum remaining single snow making time.
- the overall remaining snow making time for reaching the overall value is defined by the maximum calculated remaining single snow making time.
- control unit 2 is configured for identifying, between the calculated single snow making times, the greatest remaining single snow making time T INN .
- the overall remaining snow making time for reaching the overall value is defined by the apparatus 101 which has the greatest remaining single snow making time T INN .
- the processing unit 2 is designed for calculating the remaining quantity of snow P RIM to be produced for reaching the single snow making value P f as a function of the data contained in the condition signal A of the apparatuses 101 and as a function of the data contained in the storage unit 4 .
- the processing unit 2 is designed for estimating the remaining single snow making time T INN as a function of the current production of snow of the apparatus in a predetermined temperature range.
- the remaining single snow making time T INN is calculated by dividing the value of the remaining quantity of snow P RIM by an average historical flow value F STO representing the average quantity P STO of snow produced in the past in a period corresponding to the current period in the same temperature range and multiplying the result of the division by a predetermined historical single snow making time T INN-STO relative to the average time historically taken by an apparatus 101 to cover with snow a certain area.
- the snow making time is calculated with the following formula:
- T INN P RIM P STO * T STO - INN
- the average historical flow value F STO , the historical average quantity P STO and the historical single snow making time T INN-STO are stored in the storage unit 4 .
- the processing unit 2 is configured for calculating a maximum single snow making time T INN-MAX and a minimum single snow making time T INN-MIN in a predetermined temperature range.
- the maximum single snow making time T INN-MAX is calculated by dividing the value of the quantity of snow remaining P RIM by a predetermined minimum flow value F MIN representing the quantity of snow which can be produced in the unit of time by a first type of snow making apparatus 101 in the corresponding temperature range.
- the minimum single snow making time T INN-MIN is calculated by dividing the value of the quantity of snow remaining P RIM by a predetermined maximum flow value F MAX representing the quantity of snow which can be produced by a second type of snow making apparatus 101 in the corresponding temperature range.
- the remaining single snow making time T INN is, therefore, between the maximum single snow making time T INN-MAX and the minimum single snow making time T INN-MIN .
- the first type of apparatus 101 has a snow production performance less than the snow production performance of the second type of apparatus 101 .
- the maximum T INN-MAX and minimum T INN-MIN snow making times are calculated using the following formulae:
- the single snow making time T INN is calculated as a function of a predetermined temperature range.
- the snow making time varies according to the ambient temperature in which the apparatuses 101 operate.
- the control system 1 has four different temperature ranges with reference to which the single snow making time T INN can be calculated.
- control system 1 comprises a basic storage unit 3 in which the following are pre-stored:
- the basic storage unit 3 is designed for storing an activation priority value for each snow making apparatus. More specifically, the processing unit 2 is designed for modifying the activation priority value as a function of the contents of the condition signal A of the apparatuses 101 . Yet more specifically, the processing unit 2 is designed for modifying the activation priority value as a function of the apparatuses which have a snow production deficit. In other words, the processing unit 2 is designed for increasing the activation priority value as a function of the apparatuses 101 which have produced a quantity of snow less than the single snow making value P f . It should be noted that the higher the priority value relative to an apparatus 101 the sooner that apparatus 101 will be activated.
- control system 1 comprises a graphics interface 5 connected to the processing unit 2 for displaying, in real time:
- the system 1 comprises a module 6 connected to the processing unit 2 and to the basic storage unit 3 designed for modifying the data contained in the basic storage unit 3 .
- the module 6 allows the user to manually correct the data contained in the basic storage unit 3 .
- the module 6 is connected to the graphics interface 5 for the graphical management of the data to be corrected.
- the system 1 can be connected to the weather forecasting unit 7 which makes weather forecasts for the ski run to be covered with snow.
- the processing unit 2 is designed for receiving a weather forecast signal M and for sending it to the graphics interface 5 .
- the graphics interface 5 is configured for displaying the data contained in the weather forecast signal M.
- the user can adjust the progress of the snow production of one or more apparatuses 101 as a function of the contents of the weather forecast signal M. The adjustment may take place, for example, by switching OFF and successive switching ON of the apparatuses 101 .
- the user can interrupt the snow making operations of one or more apparatuses 101 (by switching them OFF) for a certain period of time awaiting a moment in time (subsequent to that period of time) wherein a lowering of the temperatures is forecast according to the content of the weather forecast signal M.
- the apparatuses 101 are switched ON again after the time instant in which the lowering of the temperatures is forecast.
- the costs linked to the snow production are also lowered, and it is therefore more worthwhile for the user to operate the apparatuses 101 .
- This invention relates to an artificial snow making plant 100 having a plurality of snow making apparatuses 101 each comprising a unit 104 for feeding a snow making liquid (commonly known as “chamber”) and a snow making device 103 (commonly known as “snow cannon”) for generating the artificial snow connected to the feeding unit 104 for drawing the snow making liquid. More specifically, the snow making apparatuses 101 are connected to a communication line 102 . The addition, the artificial snow making plant 100 comprises the control system 1 described above.
- each snow making apparatus 101 is calculated on the basis of the quantity of snow making liquid passing in the relative unit 104 for feeding the snow making liquid.
- the contents of the status signal S are defined by the quantity of snow making liquid currently consumed by the apparatus 101 , whilst the single snow making value P f and the overall snow making value are defined by the quantity of snow making liquid to be fed to the apparatus 101 .
- the snow making device 103 (“snow cannon”) comprises a relative process unit 108 designed for calculating the flow of snow making liquid fed to the snow making device 103 . More in detail, the process unit 108 calculates the flow of snow making liquid as a function of the pressure of the snow making liquid fed to the apparatus 101 and of the number of open and/or closed passage valves.
- the process unit 108 generates the status signal S and the processing unit 2 receives the status signal S.
- the process unit 108 is designed for generating the status signal S to be sent to the processing unit 2 .
- the processing unit 2 is designed for calculating the volume of snow making liquid consumed as a function of the contents of the status signal S. More specifically, the processing unit 2 is designed for calculating the volume of snow making liquid consumed by the mathematical integration of the flow of snow making liquid over time. In that way, the processing unit 2 can determine the quantity (as a volume) of snow making liquid consumed by one or more apparatuses 101 .
- the status signal S contains the data relative to the flow of snow making liquid passing through the apparatus 101 and, therefore, already represents the quantity of liquid consumed by the apparatus 101 .
- FIG. 1 shows that the process unit 108 of the snow making device 103 is connected to the communication line 102 .
- the invention achieves the preset aims.
- this invention allows the snow covering status of the ski run to be monitored thanks to the calculation of the quantity of snow making liquid currently consumed by each chamber. Moreover, this invention allows the snow covering times of the ski run to be estimated thanks to the real time comparison between the quantity of snow making liquid currently consumed and a “target” level of the quantity of snow making liquid to be consumed to reach a snow covering status sufficient for opening the ski run. More specifically, the “target” level is determined as a function of the quantity of snow making liquid consumed in the past.
- this invention allows the geographical areas of the ski run to be identified which have a snow covering level less than the predetermined minimum level.
- the control system allows the quantity of snow produced by the single snow making apparatuses to be monitored and to monitor the snow making apparatuses which do not satisfy the minimum requirements of artificial snow produced.
Abstract
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- receiving a status signal (S) from each snow making apparatus (101) representing the quantity of snow currently produced by the relative snow making apparatus (101);
- comparing the data contained in each status signal (S) with a respective predetermined single snow making value (Pf) to be reached;
- generating a condition signal (P) of the apparatuses (101) as a function of the comparison; —generating a condition signal P of the ski run as a function of the contents of the condition signal (A) of the apparatuses (101).
Description
- This invention relates to a control system for an artificial snow making plant. More specifically, the invention relates to an artificial snow making plant having a plurality of snow making apparatuses positioned along a ski run and connected to a communication line.
- The installation of artificial snow making systems along a ski run is known for compensating a lack of natural snow or to form the snowy underlayer of a ski run. More specifically, each snow making apparatus comprises a snow making device (commonly called “snow cannons”) and a respective unit (commonly known as “chamber”) for feeding a snow making liquid connected to the relative snow making device.
- More specifically, the snow making device is positioned close to the respective unit for feeding the snow making liquid and covers a predetermined geographical snow making area of the ski run. Thus, in this description, the snow making apparatus is the general term defining the assembly of the snow making device (snow cannon) and the unit for feeding the snow making liquid (chamber) which cover a predetermined geographical snow making area. The series of geographical snow making areas define the surface of the ski run.
- In the prior art the snow making apparatus is connected to a communication line in such a way as to manage it from a control station located downstream or in a well defined place. More specifically, the prior art control systems comprise a processing unit connected to the communication line and designed for controlling the status of the apparatus and for managing the operation as a function of the various climatic conditions.
- This prior art, however, is not free of disadvantages.
- In effect, the control systems do not generally allow the snow conditions of the ski run to be checked. For this reason, it occurs that the snow making apparatuses produce more snow than necessary for opening the ski run to the public, or they do not produce sufficient snow for the opening of the ski run to the public. In other cases, the main drawback consists in the fact that in some areas of the ski run there is more snow than necessary for opening the ski run to the public, whilst in other areas of the ski run there is not sufficient snow for the opening of the ski run.
- In this situation, the aim of this invention is to make a control system for an artificial snow making plant that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.
- More specifically, the aim of this invention is to make a control system which allows the snow conditions of the ski run to be monitored.
- Moreover, the aim of this invention is to make a control system which allows the time for covering the ski run with snow to be estimated.
- Lastly, the aim of this invention is to make a control system which allows the geographical areas of the ski run having a level of snow cover less than a minimum predetermined level to be identified.
- The aims indicated are substantially achieved by a control system for an artificial snow making plant as described in the appended claims.
- Further characteristic features and advantages of this invention will emerge more clearly from the detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive embodiment of a control system for an artificial snow making plant illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a control system for an artificial snow making plant according to the invention; and -
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a graphical curve relative to the condition of snow covering of a ski run. - With reference to the said figures, the
numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a control system for an artificialsnow making plant 100. - As previously defined, the artificial
snow making plant 100 comprises a plurality ofsnow making apparatuses 101 positioned along a ski run and connected in series to acommunication line 102. - More specifically, each
snow making apparatus 101 comprises a snow making device 103 (commonly called “snow cannon”) and a respective unit 104 (commonly known as “chamber”) for feeding a snow making liquid connected to thesnow making device 103.FIG. 1 shows asnow making device 103 of anapparatus 101 connected to thecommunication line 102 by adata line 107. Moreover, eachfeeding unit 104 is connected to the snow makingdevice 103 byconduit 105 in which the snow making liquid flows. - More specifically, the snow making
device 103 is positioned close to arespective unit 104 for feeding the snow making liquid and covers a predetermined geographical snow making area of the ski run. - The
control system 1 comprises aprocessing unit 2 in data connection with thecommunication line 102. More specifically, theprocessing unit 2 is designed for receiving a status signal S from eachsnow making apparatus 101. - The status signal S represents the quantity of snow currently produced by the
snow making apparatus 101. In other words, the status signal S represents the quantity of snow which asnow making apparatus 101 has produced. More in detail, the status signal S contains the data relative to the quantity of snow making liquid consumed by theapparatus 101. For this reason, the status signal S represents the quantity of snow currently produced since the quantity of snow currently produced depends on the quantity of snow making liquid consumed. - In detail, the status signal S is generated by the feeding unit 104 (“chamber”) of the
snow making apparatus 101 and transmitted to theprocessing unit 2. - Moreover, the
processing unit 2 is designed for comparing the data contained in each status signal S with a respective predetermined single snow making value Pf to be reached and representing a preset quantity of snow to be produced. More in detail, the predetermined single snow making value Pf represents the “target” to be reached starting from an initial snow covering status. - Moreover, the
processing unit 2 is designed for generating a condition signal A of theapparatuses 101 as a function of the comparison. The condition signal A of theapparatuses 101 represents the difference between the quantity of snow currently produced by each apparatus and the respective single snow making value Pf. - Moreover, the
processing unit 2 is designed for generating a condition signal P of the ski run as a function of the contents of the condition signal A of theapparatuses 101. The condition signal P of the ski run represents the current snow status of the ski run. - In detail, the
processing unit 2 is designed for: -
- determining the number of
apparatuses 101 which have currently produced a quantity of snow greater than the respective single snow making value Pf; - comparing the number of
apparatuses 101 determined with a predetermined minimum insolvency value Pf; - determining the condition signal P of the ski run as a function of the comparison.
- determining the number of
- If the number of
apparatuses 101 which satisfy the production of snow corresponding with the single snow making value Pf is less than the minimum insolvency value it means that the ski run is in a seriously insufficient snow covering condition. - In detail, if the number of
apparatuses 101 which satisfy the production of snow corresponding with the single snow making value Pf is greater than the minimum insolvency value it means that the ski run is in an insufficient snow covering condition. - If all the
apparatuses 101 satisfy the production of snow corresponding with the single snow making value Pf it means that the ski run is in a sufficient snow covering condition. - Moreover, in order to generate the condition signal A of the
apparatuses 101, theprocessing unit 2 is designed for comparing the data contained in each status signal S with a respective predetermined minimum snow making value Rmin representing a predetermined minimum quantity of snow. It should be noted that the predetermined minimum snow making value Pmin is less than the single snow making value Pf. - As described in more detail below with reference to
FIG. 2 , the minimum snow making value Pmin represents the snow covering threshold between a first area P1 and a second area P2 relative to anapparatus 101. Preferably, the minimum snow making value Pmin represents the snow covering threshold between the first area P1 and the second area P2 relative to the feeding unit 104 (“chamber”) of theapparatus 101. - More specifically, the condition signal A of the
apparatuses 101 is determined as a function of the quantity of snow making liquid consumed by therelative apparatus 101. More specifically, the quantity of snow making liquid consumed is compared with the minimum snow making value Pmin to be exceeded. - The
processing unit 2 is designed for updating the condition signal A of theapparatuses 101 as a function of the comparison. - It should be noted that the predetermined minimum snow making value Pmin is defined by a reference curve variable over time. For this reason, the comparison of the data contained in each status signal S with the minimum single snow making value Pmin is performed periodically with reference to the data contained in each status signal S at a predetermined moment in time Da with the minimum snow making value Pmin referred to the same predetermined moment in time Da.
- In this regard,
FIG. 2 shows a graph which allows the snow making status of asnow making apparatus 101 positioned in a relative position of the ski run to be determined. - More in detail, the curve relative to the minimum single snow making value Pmin is shown in
FIG. 2 and it comprises a first segment S1 constant over time and a second segment S2 variable over time. - More specifically,
FIG. 2 shows that the minimum snow making value Pmin, along the second segment S2, increases with the increase in time. In yet other words, the minimum snow making value Pmin increases with the approach of the preset time of ending snow making Df. - Moreover, two points are shown at the current time Da which represent, respectively, two different current snow making values Pa1 and Pa2 (first and second current snow making values) which could, alternatively, have been produced by the
snow making apparatus 101. As can be seen inFIG. 2 , the first current snow making value Pa1 symbolises that theapparatus 101 is not producing the snow necessary for the opening of theplant 100. In effect, the point representing the first current snow making value Pa1 is located beneath the reference curve. - The second current snow making value Pa2 symbolises that the
apparatus 101 has produced a quantity of snow greater than the minimum snow making value Pmin. - In effect, the point representing the second current snow making value Pa2 is located above the reference curve.
- Moreover, the reference curve defining the trend over time of the minimum snow making value Pmin divides the main graph into four zones:
-
- a first zone P1 between the X-axis and the reference curve identifying a zone in which the current snow making value Pa is less than the minimum snow making value Pmin;
- a second zone P2 extending above the reference curve identifying a zone in which the current snow making value Pa is greater than the minimum snow making value Pmin;
- a third zone P3 defined upstream of the time of starting snow making Di and downstream of the time of ending snow making Df, the zone identifying a period of time outside the start date Di and end date Df of snow making;
- a fourth zone P4 between the time of starting snow making Di and the time of ending snow making Df and greater than a target line identifying the single snow making value to be reached. The target line is positioned above the reference curve.
- It should be noted that the first segment S1 defines a minimum snow product threshold. Advantageously, the presence of the first segment S1 distinguishes more clearly zone P1 from zone P2 at the time of starting snow making so as to avoid creating the illusion (for the user) that the quantity of snow produced by the apparatus, at the time Di, is already greater than the minimum snow making value Pmin.
- It should also be noted that the times of starting snow making Di and ending snow making Df on the ski run are pre-set times by the user and might not coincide with the actual times of switching on the snow making equipment.
- Moreover, the apparatus comprises a
storage unit 4 connected to theprocessing unit 2 in which the data relative to the quantity of snow produced by thesnow making apparatuses 101 in previous years is stored with reference to an annual period corresponding to the current period. - More specifically, the
processing unit 2 is designed for calculating the overall remaining snow making time to reach an overall snow making value as a function of the data contained in the status signal S, in the condition signal A of theapparatuses 101 and as a function of the data contained in thestorage unit 4. It should be noted that the overall snow making value is defined by the sum of the single snow making values Pf. - Moreover, the control unit is designed for calculating the remaining single snow making time TINN relative to each
apparatus 101 for reaching the predetermined single snow making value Pf as a function of the data contained in the status signal S, the data contained in the condition signal A of theapparatus 101 and the data contained in thestorage unit 4. In effect, by knowing the current snow making status of each area of the ski run and by knowing the information relative to the comparison of the snow making status of each area of the ski run with respect to the single snow making value Pf (information contained in the condition signal P of the ski run) it is possible to calculate the remaining snow making time TINN for that area of the ski run until reaching the single snow making value Pf. - After that, the
control unit 2 is configured for identifying, between the calculated single snow making times TINN, the maximum remaining single snow making time. The overall remaining snow making time for reaching the overall value is defined by the maximum calculated remaining single snow making time. - In other words, the
control unit 2 is configured for identifying, between the calculated single snow making times, the greatest remaining single snow making time TINN. In effect, since theapparatuses 101 operate simultaneously, the overall remaining snow making time for reaching the overall value is defined by theapparatus 101 which has the greatest remaining single snow making time TINN. - It should also be noted that the
processing unit 2 is designed for calculating the remaining quantity of snow PRIM to be produced for reaching the single snow making value Pf as a function of the data contained in the condition signal A of theapparatuses 101 and as a function of the data contained in thestorage unit 4. - Moreover, the
processing unit 2 is designed for estimating the remaining single snow making time TINN as a function of the current production of snow of the apparatus in a predetermined temperature range. The remaining single snow making time TINN is calculated by dividing the value of the remaining quantity of snow PRIM by an average historical flow value FSTO representing the average quantity PSTO of snow produced in the past in a period corresponding to the current period in the same temperature range and multiplying the result of the division by a predetermined historical single snow making time TINN-STO relative to the average time historically taken by anapparatus 101 to cover with snow a certain area. In other words, the snow making time is calculated with the following formula: -
- It should be noted that the average historical flow value FSTO, the historical average quantity PSTO and the historical single snow making time TINN-STO are stored in the
storage unit 4. - Alternatively, if the
storage unit 4 does not contain data relative to the snow making for periods of the year corresponding to the current period, theprocessing unit 2 is configured for calculating a maximum single snow making time TINN-MAX and a minimum single snow making time TINN-MIN in a predetermined temperature range. The maximum single snow making time TINN-MAX is calculated by dividing the value of the quantity of snow remaining PRIM by a predetermined minimum flow value FMIN representing the quantity of snow which can be produced in the unit of time by a first type ofsnow making apparatus 101 in the corresponding temperature range. The minimum single snow making time TINN-MIN is calculated by dividing the value of the quantity of snow remaining PRIM by a predetermined maximum flow value FMAX representing the quantity of snow which can be produced by a second type ofsnow making apparatus 101 in the corresponding temperature range. The remaining single snow making time TINN is, therefore, between the maximum single snow making time TINN-MAX and the minimum single snow making time TINN-MIN. - It should also be noted that the first type of
apparatus 101 has a snow production performance less than the snow production performance of the second type ofapparatus 101. In other words, the maximum TINN-MAX and minimum TINN-MIN snow making times are calculated using the following formulae: -
- It should be noted that the single snow making time TINN is calculated as a function of a predetermined temperature range. In effect, the snow making time varies according to the ambient temperature in which the
apparatuses 101 operate. In detail, thecontrol system 1 has four different temperature ranges with reference to which the single snow making time TINN can be calculated. - Moreover, the
control system 1 comprises abasic storage unit 3 in which the following are pre-stored: -
- the overall snow making value;
- the minimum snow making values Pmin;
- the single snow making values Pf;
- the maximum insolvency value;
- parameters of the
apparatus 101.
- Moreover, the
basic storage unit 3 is designed for storing an activation priority value for each snow making apparatus. More specifically, theprocessing unit 2 is designed for modifying the activation priority value as a function of the contents of the condition signal A of theapparatuses 101. Yet more specifically, theprocessing unit 2 is designed for modifying the activation priority value as a function of the apparatuses which have a snow production deficit. In other words, theprocessing unit 2 is designed for increasing the activation priority value as a function of theapparatuses 101 which have produced a quantity of snow less than the single snow making value Pf. It should be noted that the higher the priority value relative to anapparatus 101 the sooner thatapparatus 101 will be activated. - In addition, the
control system 1 comprises agraphics interface 5 connected to theprocessing unit 2 for displaying, in real time: -
- the remaining overall snow making time for reaching the final overall snow making value,
- the remaining single snow making time TINN for reaching the single snow making value Pf,
- the contents of the condition signal A of the
apparatuses 101, - the contents of the condition signal P of the ski run,
- the graph (
FIG. 2 ) relative to the reference curve which defines the trend over time of the minimum snow making value Pmin, - the geographical map along which the
snow making plant 100 is installed.
- In this way, a user can monitor and control the data relative to the covering with snow of the ski run.
- Moreover, it should be noted that the
system 1 comprises amodule 6 connected to theprocessing unit 2 and to thebasic storage unit 3 designed for modifying the data contained in thebasic storage unit 3. Themodule 6 allows the user to manually correct the data contained in thebasic storage unit 3. Themodule 6 is connected to thegraphics interface 5 for the graphical management of the data to be corrected. - More specifically, the
system 1 can be connected to theweather forecasting unit 7 which makes weather forecasts for the ski run to be covered with snow. More specifically, theprocessing unit 2 is designed for receiving a weather forecast signal M and for sending it to thegraphics interface 5. In other words, thegraphics interface 5 is configured for displaying the data contained in the weather forecast signal M. In this way, the user can adjust the progress of the snow production of one ormore apparatuses 101 as a function of the contents of the weather forecast signal M. The adjustment may take place, for example, by switching OFF and successive switching ON of theapparatuses 101. For example, the user can interrupt the snow making operations of one or more apparatuses 101 (by switching them OFF) for a certain period of time awaiting a moment in time (subsequent to that period of time) wherein a lowering of the temperatures is forecast according to the content of the weather forecast signal M. In other words, theapparatuses 101 are switched ON again after the time instant in which the lowering of the temperatures is forecast. In effect, if the temperature is lower, the costs linked to the snow production are also lowered, and it is therefore more worthwhile for the user to operate theapparatuses 101. - This invention relates to an artificial
snow making plant 100 having a plurality ofsnow making apparatuses 101 each comprising aunit 104 for feeding a snow making liquid (commonly known as “chamber”) and a snow making device 103 (commonly known as “snow cannon”) for generating the artificial snow connected to thefeeding unit 104 for drawing the snow making liquid. More specifically, thesnow making apparatuses 101 are connected to acommunication line 102. The addition, the artificialsnow making plant 100 comprises thecontrol system 1 described above. - It should be noted in particular that the quantity of snow produced by each
snow making apparatus 101 is calculated on the basis of the quantity of snow making liquid passing in therelative unit 104 for feeding the snow making liquid. - More in detail, the contents of the status signal S are defined by the quantity of snow making liquid currently consumed by the
apparatus 101, whilst the single snow making value Pf and the overall snow making value are defined by the quantity of snow making liquid to be fed to theapparatus 101. - In detail, the snow making device 103 (“snow cannon”) comprises a
relative process unit 108 designed for calculating the flow of snow making liquid fed to thesnow making device 103. More in detail, theprocess unit 108 calculates the flow of snow making liquid as a function of the pressure of the snow making liquid fed to theapparatus 101 and of the number of open and/or closed passage valves. - In this way, the
process unit 108 generates the status signal S and theprocessing unit 2 receives the status signal S. In other words, theprocess unit 108 is designed for generating the status signal S to be sent to theprocessing unit 2. - Then, the
processing unit 2 is designed for calculating the volume of snow making liquid consumed as a function of the contents of the status signal S. More specifically, theprocessing unit 2 is designed for calculating the volume of snow making liquid consumed by the mathematical integration of the flow of snow making liquid over time. In that way, theprocessing unit 2 can determine the quantity (as a volume) of snow making liquid consumed by one ormore apparatuses 101. - In any case, it should be noted that the status signal S contains the data relative to the flow of snow making liquid passing through the
apparatus 101 and, therefore, already represents the quantity of liquid consumed by theapparatus 101. -
FIG. 1 shows that theprocess unit 108 of thesnow making device 103 is connected to thecommunication line 102. - The invention achieves the preset aims.
- In effect, this invention allows the snow covering status of the ski run to be monitored thanks to the calculation of the quantity of snow making liquid currently consumed by each chamber. Moreover, this invention allows the snow covering times of the ski run to be estimated thanks to the real time comparison between the quantity of snow making liquid currently consumed and a “target” level of the quantity of snow making liquid to be consumed to reach a snow covering status sufficient for opening the ski run. More specifically, the “target” level is determined as a function of the quantity of snow making liquid consumed in the past.
- Lastly, this invention allows the geographical areas of the ski run to be identified which have a snow covering level less than the predetermined minimum level. In effect, the control system allows the quantity of snow produced by the single snow making apparatuses to be monitored and to monitor the snow making apparatuses which do not satisfy the minimum requirements of artificial snow produced.
- It should also be noted that this invention is relatively easy to produce and that even the cost linked to implementation of the invention is not very high.
Claims (14)
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT000193A ITVR20120193A1 (en) | 2012-09-28 | 2012-09-28 | CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AN ARTIFICIAL WINTER SYSTEM |
ITVR2012A000193 | 2012-09-28 | ||
ITVR2012A0193 | 2012-09-28 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20140091158A1 true US20140091158A1 (en) | 2014-04-03 |
US9200825B2 US9200825B2 (en) | 2015-12-01 |
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ID=47226370
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US13/919,646 Active 2033-08-20 US9200825B2 (en) | 2012-09-28 | 2013-06-17 | Control system for an artificial snow making plant |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US9200825B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2713119B2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5837537B2 (en) |
IT (1) | ITVR20120193A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
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WO2016164500A1 (en) * | 2015-04-06 | 2016-10-13 | Snow Logic, Inc. | Snowmaking automation system and modules |
CN113168595A (en) * | 2018-10-15 | 2021-07-23 | 天冰控股公司 | Method and system for managing production of a snowmaking facility |
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- 2013-06-17 US US13/919,646 patent/US9200825B2/en active Active
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US5400965A (en) * | 1992-06-01 | 1995-03-28 | Ratnik Industries, Inc. | Automated snow-making system |
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WO2016164500A1 (en) * | 2015-04-06 | 2016-10-13 | Snow Logic, Inc. | Snowmaking automation system and modules |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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JP2014070891A (en) | 2014-04-21 |
US9200825B2 (en) | 2015-12-01 |
JP5837537B2 (en) | 2015-12-24 |
EP2713119B1 (en) | 2015-09-16 |
ITVR20120193A1 (en) | 2014-03-29 |
EP2713119A1 (en) | 2014-04-02 |
EP2713119B2 (en) | 2023-06-21 |
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